Research from the National Diabetes Audit - the largest study of the condition ever conducted in Europe - suggests that there are at least 2.3 million diabetics in the UK. Of these, 1.4 million are women and 900,000 are men.

What is it?

A condition characterised by varying or persistent hyperglycemia (elevated blood-sugar levels), especially after eating. As the nation gets lardier, we'll be hearing more about type-2 diabetes, a slow-burning condition that particularly afflicts the obese.

What are the symptoms?

Among others, an increased need to urinate, unusually rapacious thirst, irreducible fatigue, weight loss, blurred vision and tingling in the hands and feet. The symptoms of type-2 diabetes can easily be mistaken for the side-effects of stress.

Is there a test for it?

Your GP can perform a simple blood test to measure the glucose in your blood.

Is there a cure?

No, but the condition can be managed with a variety of measures, including diet, physical activity, drugs and insulin injections.